Yonge + St. Clair recently partnered up with Zebra Public Art Mgmt to bring you the group exhibit titled “You Have to Take the Stairs” which will be on display from Novemeber 1-30th within the lobby of 55 St. Clair W.

We took the time to chat with co-founders Alexandra (Alex) Correia and Yifat (Fay) Ringel to get their take on the upcoming exhibit and their thoughts on public art here in the City of Toronto.

Both of these dynamic women have combined experience in the professional worlds of real estate, communications, architecture, corporate affairs and urban planning. Mix in their strong passion for art and design, and you can begin to understand how Zebra Public Art Mgmt came to be. Read more below for the whole story.

For those who may not be familiar, tell us more about Zebra Public Art Management, and how you came to be.

Prior to establishing Zebra, we worked together at a large publicly held real estate company in Toronto. Seven years ago, we were given the opportunity to develop and manage a Canada-wide Art Program that included collaborations with three renowned art universities. We also implemented and managed public art competitions and festivals for this program. These successful collaborations gave us the opportunity to work with some great emerging Canadian artists such as Meryl McMaster, Nicholas Chrombach and Rajni Perera, in their early stages of their career. For these artists, it was their first public art experience which was a great milestone on their CV.
These projects led to the path of Zebra Public Art Mgmt., where we decided to venture off to follow our real passion – bringing artful experiences to the public in public spaces.
Zebra’s mission is to engage the worlds of creativity and commerce to enhance the experience of place through art, as well as to create various platforms where people come to learn, experience and have fun, artfully.
Zebra offers public art management services. We take charge of all stages of public art installations from conception to implementation. We curate and produce art exhibitions and festivals and we create programs such as team building events with an art flavour, workshops and talk series to expose art to people in an everyday setting.

What does Public Art mean to you? And why do you think it’s important in a city like Toronto?

Public Art means so much for us. We all come across it and see it every day; probably even without knowing it at times. Public Art serves us in so many ways, it adds an esthetic quality. It can stop us in our tracks to simply say “wow, that’s beautiful” or “ugh, I don’t like that” which is also a good thing as it sparks conversation and thought. It can be a landmark in the city, helping with navigation in the urban fabric, or a meeting place where people gather.
Public Art says something about our time, about our culture and life and how artists interpret contexts within the city. It adds value to a city’s tourism economy, and can also add great value to landlords of retail and public spaces.

Any examples of public art around the world that speaks to you?

There are so many around the world, temporary and permanent pieces that we think are incredible examples; here are just a few:

“21 Swings” in Montreal by Daily tous les jours. We love this interactive piece because it requires the public’s cooperation. As people swing together certain melodies emerge, but yet only through cooperation between players. It’s built on the notion that we can achieve more together than separately, and it’s playful, surprising and stimulates a sense of community and ownership of space.

Kara Walker’s “A Subtlety” . The enormous, sugar-coated “mammy” sphinx in the Sugar Factory in Brooklyn. This art piece is spectacular; you don’t need to know what its about to enjoy it and be in owe of its size and beauty. But here the artist actually encouraged us to look at visible things that we wish were invisible, such as the history to slavery, immigration and migration. Public art creates a space to engage in these difficult conversations.

JR’s photographic images throughout the world. We love his statement that the street is “the largest art gallery in the world” and that in the street, we reach people who never go to museums.

Cloud Gate or as its commonly known as The Bean in Chicago by Anis Kapoor, which in our opinion, is the number one piece on this side of the hemisphere. The way it captures the city, the sky and the people’s reflection is stunning. Public Art at its best as it serves both the city and the casual viewers on so many levels.

A-maze-ing Laughter in Vancouver, by Beijing-based artist Yue Minjun. A perfect example of a static sculpture that is so engaging and interactive; everyone touches it, climbs it, take selfies.

The Berczy Park’s new dog fountain in Toronto by Claude Cormier. The number of humans, big and small, and little dog paws enjoying this piece, is a crowd pleaser everyday, all day.

Tell us what you’re most excited about with this exhibition

We are excited to showcase great art to people, on their everyday, routine trips to and from their offices. A building’s lobby is such a great public space – it’s a wonderful space to use it in a creative way, that can really bring a community together, spark people’s imagination, and show them that art doesn’t have to be in a museum or gallery.
Another important element for us is offering original artworks that are reasonably priced. It can be a stepping stone for people’s art collection.

“You Have to Take the Stairs” is an interesting concept, can you tell us more about how that came to be?

Our office is on the 18th floor. Obviously, we’re taking the elevators daily. When exiting the elevators we land in front of a blank wall. Does it have to be a blank wall? Or can it potentially be a ‘Blank Canvas’, awaiting some colours, shapes and patterns to shape it and inspire the elevator users? This was the thought which triggered the exhibition.

We wanted to find a theme for the show that can connect to building users, in an urban hub like Yonge + St. Clair. We thought about how we all vigorously use the elevators all the time, and literally never take the stairs. We bet most of us don’t even know where the stairs are, but these elevators can also be a metaphor for climbing the social ladder, the financial ladder, chasing our dreams and aspirations, questioning ‘is there an easy way to get to the top or not.’ We thought about the common phrase “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs”, and it fit our idea to connect with all stakeholders.

What do you hope people take away from this exhibit?

To recognize that this city, province, country is full of great talent, that you can buy and start a little art collection with affordable, original piece of art for your house or office instead of mass productions. And we also hope to inspire people, to make them re-think public places and the role of Art in our everyday life.

“You Have to Take the Stairs” will be up for the month of November within the lobby of 55 St. Clair W.

Hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm

Join us on Wednesday, November 1st for the group exhibition titled “You Have to Take the Stairs” curated by Zebra Public Art Mgmt.

For the entire month of November, you’ll be able to experience the work from artists such as:

Dina Belaia        Dina Torrans        Jane Theodore       

John Kokkinos        Leonora Husveti-Frenette        Maria Drazilov       

Marina Nazarova        Melissa Moffat        Ron Wild

Ronald Regamey        Ryan Van Der Hout        Shelley Wildeman

Don’t forget to also come out to the Opening Day Event on Wednesday, November 1st from 12-2:00pm to mingle with some of the artists, and the organizers themselves.

For two weeks in late September we transformed Yonge + St. Clair into a hub of creativity with our latest pop up shop experience. From the opening night party, to the closing weekend contests, members of our community lined up to grab one-of-a-kind t-shirts and show off their neighbourhood pride.

Toronto artist Lucas Young created designs inspired by the unique and vibrant atmosphere of Yonge + St. Clair, and local screen printing collective The Baitshop brought them to life – custom printing t-shirts live on site.

After a wonderful run, the pop up shop is now closed, and we’re proud to donate 25% of all proceeds from the shop to The Canadian Cancer Society.

Did you miss out on your chance to snag a limited edition Yonge + St. Clair tee? A small run of t-shirts will be available at Spacing, a Toronto company known for products that inspire and showcase love for communities across the city. Located at 401 Richmond St W, you can find these Yonge + St. Clair inspired t-shirts starting the week of October 9th.

Thank you to all who came to enjoy this experience, and we look forward to bringing another new and exciting boutique event to Yonge + St. Clair soon.

Never miss out on another Yonge + St. Clair event: join our mailing list today by signing up below.

We took a moment to chat with Emma Knight, Co-Founder of Greenhouse Juice Co., and Director of Brand and Marketing. Greenhouse Juice Co. is one of many businesses new to the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood with more to be announced soon.

Tell us the story of how Greenhouse Juice Co. came to be.

Anthony, Hana, and I all grew up in Toronto a few blocks away from Yonge + St. Clair. We’ve all known each other for a long time, and Anthony and I are in fact partners both in Greenhouse and in life. We were each on separate career trajectories in 2013 when we discovered cold-pressed juice in our travels, and felt transformed by its effects. We saw it as a turnkey way to stay healthy and energized, and to make nutrition a priority, no matter how busy you are. Because there was none to be found in Toronto at the time, we decided to open a little shop together in our hometown that would specialize in making the highest quality of organic, cold-pressed juice, bottled in glass. We thought it would be a very niche concept; we didn’t expect to quit our day jobs. But when we first opened our doors on January 8th, 2014, we were overwhelmed by the response from our community. Despite the frigid weather, we sold out in an hour on that first day. All three of us have been focused on Greenhouse full-time (and then some) ever since.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

When the idea for Greenhouse first took shape, I was living in Paris, finishing my Masters in Journalism and International Affairs. Anthony was living in LA working as a filmmaker, and Hana was the founder and operator of two healthy cafés in Toronto.

We know you have a fantastic new space at Yonge + St. Clair. What made you choose this neighbourhood?

We all grew up around Yonge + St. Clair- it’s home to us!

The interior of your new space is incredible. Can you tell us more about the designer/ architect and their concept?

Thank you! Our architect is Kfir Gluzberg of Kilogram Studios. We started working with Kfir when it came time to build our third shop at Yonge and Briar Hill in the fall of 2014. He does a fantastic job of making each of our shops entirely unique. They are all made from different materials, chosen to suit the space, context, and light. This one has a walk-up window, which is a first for us, so you can grab a smoothie, soup, or juice seamlessly on your way to work.

What has the response been so far at this location?

The response has been very positive! We’re thrilled to be part of such a dynamic neighbourhood.

Do you have any other favourite spots in the neighbourhood?

We love Delica Kitchen. Devin and Luke are good friends of ours, and everything they make is delicious.

What does the future look like for Greenhouse?

We’ve just released two plant-based soups, and we’ll be releasing some new food items this fall. We’re partnering with our friends at iQ FOOD CO. on some amazing plant-based breakfast and lunch items, and with other local companies on a range of plant-based lunches and snacks. More info will be coming shortly via our blog (blog.greenhousejuice.com), and our Instagram (@greenhousejuice)!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for having us in your neighbourhood! We’re so excited to be here.

Thanks Emma!

You can check out the fabulous new Greenhouse Juice Co. location here at

2 St. Clair E.

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm
Sat: 9:30am-5:30pm
Sun: 10am-4pm

For almost the last ten years, the National Headquarters of the Canadian Cancer Society has been able to call the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood their home. As one of the largest tenants here in the business community, it only seemed fitting to partner with them for our most recent activation: the Yonge + St. Clair Pop Up Store.

We sat down with Heather Norris, Manager of Corporate Partnerships here with the Canadian Cancer Society and asked her a few questions to learn more about what goes on within the National Headquarters, and how to raise awareness.

Can you explain your role within the Canadian Cancer Society?

My role is to engage corporate partners with the Canadian Cancer Society to help us achieve our mission. Each company has different passions and interests and I ensure that they are connected to the right program, service or research grant.

Tell us a bit about the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission, and what it means to all Canadians.

The Canadian Cancer Society is the country’s cancer voice. We fund the most promising cancer research, provide trusted information, help bring about healthy public policies and offer support services. We are changing lives for the better so that all Canadians can live more fully.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Impact. Since I was young, I have always wanted to make a difference in the world. The Canadian Cancer Society is doing amazing things to help eradicate cancer and support those living with cancer. I play a small role in making that happen and that is the reason why I wake up excited to come to work every day.

What exactly goes on in the Canadian Cancer Society’s National Headquarters?

At our office we collaborate with our colleagues across the country to do our mission work (research, information and support services for patients and their families, prevention and advocacy) and run our fundraising programs that support this work.

In your opinion, what is the most effective way to raise awareness?

With nearly 1 in 2 Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, people are already very aware of the impact that cancer has. At the Canadian Cancer Society, it’s our job to encourage people to take action to create a world where no one fears cancer.

Are there some surprising facts that you’d like for us to share?

Cancer isn’t one disease but more than 100 different types.

Last year, the Canadian Cancer Society helped almost 163,000 people through our information and support services. No one should face cancer alone.

What do you like best about the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood?

The neighbourhood is like a little community with everything you need – banks, grocery stores, shops, lunch spots and more. Through the summer I really love the Food Truck Thursdays!

Thanks Heather!

The Yonge + St. Clair Store

For two weeks (starting September 21) we’ll be selling custom, on the
spot screen-printed t-shirts featuring original Yonge + St. Clair-centric
artwork by Toronto artist Lucas Young in which 25% of all proceeds
will be donated to The Canadian Cancer Society.

Open 11am to 8pm Thursdays and Fridays
and 12 noon to 6pm Saturdays, September 21 to 30
at 1470 Yonge Street.

We recently sat down with Steven Paynter, Design Manager at Gensler here in Toronto. Paynter and his team were responsible for the Ravine Bench which is the newest addition to the urban landscape here at Yonge + St. Clair.

Hey Steven, for those who may not be familiar, tell us more about Gensler.

Gensler is the world’s largest design company. With over 40 offices around the world Gensler not only focuses on Architecture and Interior Design, but also product design, brand development and expert consulting services. It’s often said that Gensler has designed everything from the label on a wine bottle to the second tallest building in the world. Gensler first set up its Toronto office with a single person 6 years ago and we’ve since grown to over 80 people.

What is your interpretation or view of the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood?

Despite a great location, incredible residential options and a thriving community, the area’s architecture, retail and night life has been left to languish. Now really is St. Clair’s time as developers, landlords and the residents have pulled together to create something special. At Gensler we’ve tried to find the most meaningful features in the neighbourhood and combine them with the best opportunities to create something new and special.

Can you tell us a bit more about the ‘Ravine Bench’ that was designed for Yonge + St. Clair and how it came to be?

The bench started as a simple hand rail, but we thought it could be something more. When designing the new façade of the St. Clair Centre we wanted to create a more active and comfortable street life, but also had to deal with some difficult level changes between the interior of the stores and the side walk. For example, TD Bank’s storefront is 4ft above the ground and that meant having to add the ramp and stairs that you can see on site now.

The bench developed from this rail into something more intricate. The real design breakthrough came when we started looking at the wider neighbourhood and saw the opportunity to do something important here that can link to the south side of the intersection. These two areas on the east side of Yonge are the only places at St. Clair that are wide enough to do something meaningful to the streetscape, so it became an important area of focus.

The design itself is reflective of the ravines that cut through St. Clair. It is a combination of solid stone, plants and the abstracted levels and cuts that break the landscape here. We went through several iterations, but the ravine just felt right and fit so well with the building while also adding some softness and nature to the corner.

What are your thoughts on public space and its importance here in the City of Toronto?

Public space is something that Toronto really hasn’t got right yet, but we are getting there. A combination of narrow sidewalks, above-ground tree planters and a strange obsession with planting things right under power cables has meant that most of our sidewalks do little other than move pedestrians. Though there are some great examples, we still lack places to sit and watch the world go by or places to sit and wait for friends. I would like to see new developments start to add more pocket parks and public furniture. I’d also like to eventually see more generous sidewalks throughout the city; this is something we should all focus on over the next few decades as we reduce our reliance on cars.

Any other thoughts on design and public space as it pertains to Yonge + St. Clair specifically?

This year will see a lot of public space upgrades at St. Clair. The Ravine Bench is the first to be completed, but we are also replacing the sidewalk around the St. Clair Centre, and doing similar work at a couple of other locations as well. Last year we worked with Slate to develop an overall vision for the neighbourhood that allowed you to see green space from every vantage point in the area. With this in mind we currently have a new pedestrian laneway under construction between St. Clair and Delisle Park, between 30 and 40 St. Clair W. We also have another bench under construction at 21 St. Clair E. which will provide a sheltered seating area near the TTC station. This one is an important pedestrian friendly move at a location where the streetcar tracks obliterate the sidewalk.

Any ideas of where you see the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood in 5 years?

This is a great question. What I’d like to see is a mix of upgrades to the existing infrastructure and great new developments, all of which will build a place that feels like a great walkable neighbourhood. We will know we’ve succeeded in this vision when you go to St. Clair at any time of day and the public spaces, stores and restaurants are all bubbling with life.

Thanks, Steven!

The new Ravine Bench by Gensler can be viewed outside of 2 St. Clair E

We sat down with members of the Toronto screen printing and design collective, The Baitshop. They’ll be screen printing custom t-shirts live on site at our latest Yonge + St. Clair Store pop-up shop starting on September 21.

What is The Baitshop?

The Baitshop is a lifestyle brand and screen printing company with tentacles in design and experiential events.

How did it all start?

We began screen printing for brands in a former worm farm warehouse space in Parkdale in 2007. This space inspired our name “The Baitshop.” Slowly and organically, we became known for not only our screen printing but also our events for the skateboarding community. As demand continued to grow around the production business, we outgrew our space in Parkdale and relocated to the Stockyards in west Toronto.

What makes your approach unique?

We are a collective of like minded people who come together to offer something traditional and tactile in the digital age, but with a modern perspective. Our live-printing experience has now evolved to encompass live music, art, and screen printing. We have been live-printing since 2007, and have become quite comfortable with the process. Most people have never seen how a t-shirt is printed, so they’re quite captivated. We’ve become completely interactive and able to involve the customers in the process by allowing them to print their own garment or poster. We’ve also introduced music to our print process, where we print alongside a band or DJ to make some pretty original artworks.

What interested you about the Yonge + St. Clair Store idea?

Live Bait is a fun activation. It’s great to get out there and share the experience with any community. Working with new communities and people is really what we’re about. The opportunity to work with Lucas, Blackjet, and the Yonge + St. Clair Store is something we couldn’t pass up!

Of the designs that Lucas created for this project, do you have a favourite?

I’d have to say the “Racoon on the Bike.” Simple and comical. The “Commuter Squad” lock-up design is great too. Would be between those two.

The Yonge + St. Clair Store is open 11am to 8pm Thursdays and Fridays and 12 noon to 6pm Saturdays, from September 21 to 30 at 1470 Yonge St.

Learn more about The Baitshop here:
www.thebaitshop.ca

In anticipation of the September 21 launch of the Yonge + St. Clair Store we sat down with Toronto artist Lucas Young, who designed the neighbourhood-centric merch for the project. Here’s our conversation.

Yonge + St. Clair: A lot of your work blends typography and illustration. How did this aesthetic develop?

Lucas Young: I went to design school at York University and Sheridan College. That’s where I started to establish my aesthetic. I focus a lot on typography and I’ve always had a big interest in art. Illustration is something I’ve pursued on my own, I didn’t formally go to school for it, but it’s been an extension of my design and typography work. I focus a lot on illustrative typography and my style developed out of that. I’ve always had a strong black and white aesthetic, which is why a lot of my designs are heavy mono-lined stuff. There is a fusion of typography and illustration in my style, which has kind of become my signature thing.

Does your interest in typography date back to design school?

I’ve always been fascinated by it. I was really into graffiti in my teen years. Through design school I was able to turn that into a more tangible practice. Coincidentally, that was around the time hand lettering emerged in the market. A lot of companies were looking for expressive type work, something that feels more catered than the everyday message.

When you began working on the Yonge + St. Clair project, what was the process? Where did you start?

A lot of it starts from just getting a sense of what the project will be, just visiting the area itself. I spent time standing at the intersection of Yonge + St. Clair, doing a little bit of people watching and a little bit of exploration to get a feel for the neighborhood. I used to live at St. Clair and Avenue for a period of time, so I have a bit of familiarity with the area. From there you kind of take cues and think about how you can turn your ideas into artwork. I looked at transit, architecture, food – just the lifestyle of the area – things like yoga, the gym. You take all these elements and interpret them in different ways, whether
through illustration or type or both. And then at the end of it all you try to think about what people will actually wear.

How does the current neighbourhood compare to the Yonge + St. Clair you lived at?

It’s definitely on the come up. It seems like a younger work force is coming in, sort of like a new business area. There seems to be a lot more young professionals. I don’t want to offend anyone, but Yonge + St. Clair is not the old, blue suit and tie crowd anymore. They might be wearing a suit and tie, but they’re riding a bike, or skateboarding to work. You’re seeing a younger crowd and more culture emerging in the area, with more bars and restaurants. It seems to be generating a younger lifestyle in the area, which is
exciting.

Did that influence your designs? Were you interpreting that youthful energy?

For sure. I think the new Yonge + St. Clair brand, with the bright colours, is really infusing a sense of youthfulness into the area. At the same time, I wanted to introduce some nostalgia in some of the designs for the residents that have been in the area for a while. Youthfulness isn’t always tied to age. It’s about an energy that is present in the neighbourhood.

Regarding this project specifically, what does success look like?

Validation would come through neighbourhood residents connecting with the designs. We’re really trying to speak to Yonge + St. Clair and the local residents are the ones who are going to gauge how authentic our interpretation is. I think it would be really interesting to see people from the area adopting these designs and supporting them. It would be really exciting and gratifying on my part.

Thanks, Lucas!

The Yonge + St. Clair Store is open 11am to 8pm Thursdays and Fridays and 12 noon to 6pm Saturdays, September 21 to 30 at 1470 Yonge St.

Learn more about Lucas here:

www.lucasyoung.co

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Zebra Public Art Mgmt. is pleased to invite Ontario artists to submit works of art, for a juried themed group exhibition.

The exhibit will take place in a very busy, publicly accessible lobby area of a business tower in the heart of midtown Toronto, and will run between October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017.

The space encounters hundreds of occupants and visitors on a daily basis, this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for great exposure and all artworks will be offered for sale.

There is no application fee to submit.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 4:00 pm

THEME:

“You have to take the Stairs” is the theme of this exhibition. The title is taken from the expression ‘There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs’.

The Exhibition area is physically located near the elevators of the tower. Building occupants vigorously use these elevators throughout the day, Monday to Friday. Many people use the elevators together as a means of travel through space, as part of the daily journey to the office, however their personal journeys always differ. Symbolically we can say that some have taken the stairs and climbed, others are still climbing, while some will continue to take the elevator indefinitely.

Artists are requested to respond to the theme and submit their own interpretation.
For example, works can relate to subjects such as perseverance, failures, movement, travelling, energy. etc.

• Works can be literal or abstract, representational or implicit.
• We encourage and invite artists from all career levels and welcome proposals by individual artists and groups.
• This call accepts all mediums. 3D works are welcomed as long as it can be secured to a wall.
• All 2D artworks should be framed and ready to hang/install.

SIZE LIMITATIONS FOR ARTWORKS:
We encourage all sizes, from miniatures up to 3 feet wide (no limit on height).

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A maximum of three (3) works may be submitted by each artist.

• Artist CV (2 pages maximum, PDF format).
• Artist short Bio
• Images of the piece (up to three (3) pieces, separate images- JPEG files- not to exceed 5MB in total)
*In a separate PDF, or on image itself- provide information to support the image: title, date completed, medium, size, and valued price
• Artist Statement – short text on how does the submitted art relate to exhibition’s theme

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 4:00pm.
Digital Entries Only. Please submit your application to [email protected]

Chosen artists and their respective chosen artworks need to be available the week of September 25, 2017 to meet with consultants at Zebra Public Art Mgmt.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND QUERIES:
Fay Ringel & Alex Correia
Zebra Public Art Mgmt.
[email protected]
Like their Facebook page HERE

ZEBRA PUBLIC ART MGMT believes that public art plays a key role in shaping and defining places within our cities, our communities. Art has the power to make any place more memorable, attractive, and to connect us.
We engage processes that bring the worlds of creativity and commerce to enhance the experience of place through art.